It’s not often that we have original news here. Scoops and such. But I can report to you — exclusively — that A’s starter Brandon McCarthy is in The Best Shape of His Life. I know this because he told me himself:

Of course, it’s possible that he’s lying about that and just wanted to be featured on the blogosphere’s most popular offseason ballplayer health update feature.

I’ll be in Phoenix in a couple of weeks and I’m going to make a point to see McCarthy in person and judge for myself. Like, I’m gonna make him do jumping jacks and stuff. Better come correct, McCarthy.

Update (7:51 PM ET): ESPN’s Buster Olney says the deal isn’t final yet. Rosenthal says that any delay on this trade is due to Kinsler’s no-trade clause, but he still expects the deal to happen.

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Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Angels will acquire second baseman Ian Kinsler from the Tigers. It is not known yet what the Tigers will receive in return. Kinsler had to waive his no-trade clause in order for the deal to happen.

Kinsler, 35, hit .236/.313/.412 with 22 home runs, 52 RBI, 90 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases in 613 plate appearances for the Tigers this past season. He’s in the final year of his contract and will earn $10 million for the 2018 season.

The Angels were certainly looking to upgrade at second base and did so with Kinsler. They were also reportedly interested in Cesar Hernandez of the Phillies.